When not to modify a hashtag.

The existence of social media platforms has given birth to social media activism, which has enabled people to promote their own causes independently of charities and organisations. On occasion social media has been responsible for spearheading influential campaigns, including the #BlackLivesMatter and #YesAllWomen hashtags. Both of which have played an integral part in raising awareness of issues of racism and sexism in the modern world. Despite the positive influence of these projects, amongst others, they have come up against resistance, most notably in the form of those who warp and reshape the original message of the campaign for their own purposes.

The mishandling of these campaigns has become an epidemic issue, with countless people launching spin offs of the initial campaign to serve their own needs. As a result supporters are fractured by the confused message and the message is lost amongst the fight to reclaim it.

Activists hashtags have been reshaped continually, and the #AllLivesMatter tag is a prime example of what’s wrong with it. The #AllLivesMatter hashtag emerged soon after the #BlackLivesMatter message took off. The changed message was supposedly to support caring for all people, and helping them all equally. Presidential candidate Hilary Clinton even uttered the phrase during a speech on her campaign tour. People have continued to support the #AllLivesMatter movement, claiming that it’s a more positive message because it supports all people. But, what continues to be misunderstood is that #BlackLivesMatter is not designed to be exclusionary; it is designed to draw attention to a minority who are continuing to face blatant and unchecked prejudice and racism. By supporting a cause aimed at a specific group of people you aren’t announcing hatred for all other people, but this fact seems to be lost on those who decided to alter the movement with #AllLivesMatter.

The same problem can be seen amongst hashtags promoting feminism and projects like #EverydaySexism. One of the most significant backlashes against these hashtags has been #NotAllMen, which was designed to draw attention to the fact that not all men are sexist or rapists. A fact that really wasn’t necessary to point out, but the participants in this hashtag are apparently incapable of understanding that a blanket statement drawing attention to a minority issue is not condemning all others outside of that group.

The bastardisation of these hashtags is a clear example of the continued ignorance displayed by people who decide to actively manipulate these campaigns for their own gain. Those who create these modified hashtags are often working with the best intentions, because they think that they’re promoting a positive message, but what they’re doing is actually very damaging. On occasion, though, they really are just arseholes who think that they’re better than the issue being promoted. Changing the message waters down the positive effects of the initial hashtag and wastes time, because supporters of the original message can become embroiled in fruitless arguments with those ignorant enough to modify the hashtag.

With the continuation of insular and intolerant attitudes people are able to promote these modified hashtags freely and they continue to gather support. The initial manipulation of these hashtags usually stems from people misunderstanding the root of the cause, which results in the decision to ‘correct’ the perceived wrongdoing. The warping of the cause successfully draws attention away from its original message and poisons the positive influence the campaign is trying to achieve. Consequently people have to waste time attempting to explain why their bastardisation of the initial campaign is wrong, which wastes precious time. The focus of campaigns like #BlackLivesMatter and #EverydaySexism is to help adjust the equilibrium of our society to more accurately reflect an equal and just society. But, this becomes impossible when people continue to bastardise the cause for their own gain, because they deem these hashtags as inflammatory and prejudice in themselves. To put it simply: they are not being prejudice. The hashtags are designed to gather support for the group being affected, and raise awareness of the issue. Not to hurt your precious feelings.

Modifying these campaigns fractures minority groups as each attempts to gain the attention they deserve, and are hampered by the individuals who believe that their hurt feelings deserve more attention than the primary cause. So next time you think that someone saying #BlackLivesMatter or #YesAllWomen is a personal affront to you, reconsider! I can guarantee you that it’s not designed as an insult to you, I doubt you’re important enough to have a hashtag developed just to offend you. Try reminding yourself that the world doesn’t revolve around you, there are issues that need attention drawn to them and sometimes they aren’t going to be about you. They’re aimed at raising awareness of an issue that needs addressing, that needs to be acknowledged and changed. So stop reading between the lines, and listen to the message. 

Where did all the strong women go?!

Strong female role models have always been difficult to find in today’s industry, particularly when the airy-fairy damsel in distress has dominated the silver screen for decades. True female role models do rely upon the beholder, particularly when every individual admires specific traits. But, for my own preference I must admit that I would do anything to see a woman kick ass without any apologies, and without a man taking all the credit.

As a child I was raised on classics like the Fox and the Hound, and 101 Dalmatians. Luckily the helpless damsels that override princess films never indoctrinated me. Granted Disney is finally starting to embrace the strong women with recent Disney flicks, such as Tangled and Brave, becoming roaring successes when portraying the strength of will of women as their most beautiful feature. It’s high time that this focal lesson stretched across the entire film industry. So perhaps it may be seen that some Disney films are finally embracing the beauty of a strong, independent woman without the need for a dominating romantic thread, as is displayed in the triumphant Brave. However, recent imagery of Merida for her Disney feature contrasts the powerful young woman portrayed in the film, and harshly reverses the positive influence that the film encourages. Why couldn’t they just leave her as she was?! All I want is a fairytale without a man to cloud the picture, portraying as message that says that you don’t need a man to keep you happy.

The recent Snow White and the Huntsman provided some hope with the focal point being a woman who can fight her own battles, as well as accepting help from a male counterpart – the perfect balance! For this is the balance that needs to be found, one that does not dismiss the beauty of a happy relationship, but also addresses the power a woman on her own can possess. I for one would love to see more modern retellings of these traditional princesses, give them power, give them soul and make one a damn lesbian, that’d be refreshing!

But alas that would be asking too much wouldn’t it, for so many are fearful of angering the small minorities who would fight tooth and nail to prevent such a thing happening. A lesbian could encourage children to be gay; a violent woman might encourage bad behaviour, unladylike behaviour. Of course that would just be criminal wouldn’t it. I yearn to see the day when an unforgiving, powerful woman takes the stage, a woman who doesn’t take shit from anyone, and doesn’t need a male protector, or even romance to make her life whole.

Herein lies the issue I have with other film franchises that claim to provide a strong, powerful woman who acts as a figurehead for young women to follower. You can find a million and one courageous, strong-willed men dominating the silver screens, so why is it that when a woman comes along with the same characteristics it’s shocking. But alas the world is still trying to come to terms with seeing a gay kiss on screen, perhaps one day we won’t be all a clamour whenever a kickass woman is finally portrayed. But, in the franchises that dominate our screens, and young women’s minds, are any of them truly strong?

Firstly, I’d love to write a whole thesis on why the twilight series acts as a bad influence for women, but let me make this succinct. Bella is not a strong woman. She is depicted as completely unable to make her own decisions, allowing a man to dictate every aspect of her life, from her sex life to her ability to drive. This frustrates me beyond all else, and yes, I have read the books too so I can formulate an opinion. Edward is in all senses of the description, a dangerous man. He is abusive, controlling, and for fuck sake he spends almost the entire franchise trying not to eat her!

How does this promote a strong image for young readers to follow? I for one would not want my future children to view this woman as a role model, very little is given to her as a choice. The entire book and film franchise depicts this poor girl running round after a man who consistently endangers her life, with no regard for her own life. Even Jacob who all but forces himself upon her in the second book and again doggedly (pun intended) pursues her until he finally imprints on her daughter (great undertones of paedophilia there Stephanie Meyers). How in the hell can anyone see these films as providing a strong female role model?! I understand the addiction to these novels, but all they appear to do is portray that a woman cannot be happy without a man controlling her life.

The Hunger Games franchise on the other hand provides and entirely new point of view. It survives the majority of scrutiny in providing a strong female role model, in my opinion. The character of Katniss Everdeen is one of strength and endurance. What I think I find most refreshing about her is her desire not to be the hero, she fights for herself, and her family, not for the world. She is manipulated by those around her, but still appears to hold a resounding power in herself that permeates through both the books and the films. I think what makes her a particularly admirable female role model for myself is her dedication to her family, in particular her sister. These are the attributes I wish others would promote in film, a strong woman who is unafraid to defend herself, who is unapologetic for who she is, and has no shame in fighting for her own life and not for the lives of others. However, as much as I admire the new wave of film franchises that are beginning to promote this new power woman there is one factor that I wish we could do without; the romance.

But, sadly nearly every strong female role model is tainted with this undying love that dominates the storyline of these franchises. Even the new wave of fantasy, with strong female role models, still allows romance to takeover the storyline including the upcoming Mortal Instruments and Beautiful Creatures. It frustrates me that an action film with a male star can have a meaningless romance, or is completely void of it, and is considered successful. But, we are severely lacking in films that concentrate on an authoritative woman who has no qualms with sleeping with whomever she likes. Moreover, being a woman without any need for romance at all, who can fight, master herself and lead others without apologies. Wouldn’t that be a miracle?

Granted I am not condemning the idea of an influential woman who has a significant love in her life, that is an ideal I believe in. But, what I strongly object to is the message that women need to have a man in their life to make their lives worthy. Furthermore the insistence of writers placing these momentarily commanding woman in situations that apparently only a man could save them from. Whereas any male led film can lead its cast without ever needing the help of a woman. I would have done anything for a strong female model whose character could have a man, but didn’t necessarily need one. So why is it that we cannot find one in this day and age?